Sunderland in line for seven-figure FIFA World Cup windfall | OneFootball

Sunderland are set for a seven-figure boost this summer with a record 12 players at the FIFA World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada. The payments come via FIFA’s expanded Club Benefit Programme.

According to Sunderland Echo, FIFA will distribute around €350 million, including €100 million for qualifying, with clubs estimated to get €2,362 per matchday squad appearance. Limited qualifying minutes kept Sunderland’s returns modest, though regulars Noah Sadiki, Granit Xhaka and Omar Alderete likely generated close to €20,000.

Another €250 million covers the tournament itself, so Sunderland’s large contingent should lift returns, though per-club shares are likely down on Qatar 2022 with 48 teams in the groups. Xhaka, Alderete, Habib Diarra and Nilson Angulo are with Switzerland, Paraguay, Senegal and Ecuador, while Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku represent DR Congo.

Chemsdine Talbi came off the bench in Morocco’s 1-1 draw with Brazil, Simon Adingra was unused as Ivory Coast beat Ecuador 1-0, and Brian Brobbey came on late in the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Japan, while Robin Roefs and Lutsharel Geertruida are also in the squad. Wilson Isidor is at the tournament with Haiti.

Sunderland are guaranteed payments for the presence of all 12 players, with FIFA estimating €5,000 per day per player, covering the build-up and a group stage lasting a little over a fortnight. Assuming a minimum three weeks on duty, that is roughly €105,000 per player and about £940,000 overall.

The total is likely to top £1,000,000 once qualification payments are added and if any player progresses beyond the groups. Paraguay lost heavily to the USA and Haiti fell narrowly to Scotland, while Diarra could debut when Senegal face France on Tuesday and DR Congo open against Portugal on Wednesday.

Source: Sunderland Echo